Speaking at a Commons’ Defence sub-committee hearing last week, Attorney General Jeremy Wright said: “I am sure that will have an effect on the number of cases that are taken to an extensive investigation and therefore how quickly we can get through the large pile of cases IHAT still have to deal with.”

It emerged this week that the IHAT probe has so far cost £35 million out of its £57.2 million budget and is on course to finish by 2019.

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Played down ... Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has previously revealed that a “few dozen” cases will be taken seriously

The probe has so far only resulted in a £3,000 fine for one soldier.

Only 23 soldiers have so far been questioned under caution as a result of claims.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has previously revealed that a “few dozen” cases will be taken seriously.

Tory MP and former soldier Johnny Mercer, who sits on the influential Defence Select Committe, last night said: “We are beginning to see progress on the depth and breadth of the madness that IHAT has been allowed to descend into.

“This investigation should finish a long, long time before the scheduled end date of 2019.”